5 Things to Know About Finnish Lapphunds

Finnish Lapphunds were bred to herd reindeer in Lapland, a northern area of Finland, Sweden and Russia. Photo: iStock.com/Bigandt_Photography

1. Key Characteristics

AKC Group: Herding

Height: 16–21 inches inches

Weight: 30–55 pounds

Life Expectancy: 15–17 years

This medium-sized, muscular dog breed was bred to live and work outside.

The Finnish Lapphund’s thick double coat can withstand harsh temperatures and comes in colors of black, brown and tan, as well as other colors and combinations.

The toes are spread out to act as a snowshoe, with fur on the feet and between the paw pads. The ears are medium-sized and triangular, and the eyes are oval.

The high-set tail is fluffy and carried either over the back or to the side.

2. Where They Came From

Semi-nomadic people called the Sami lived in Lapland, a northern area of Finland, Sweden and Russia.

The Sami became less mobile over several hundred years and started keeping reindeer herds. Some dogs had evolved from hunting and guarding to become herding dogs.

The innovation of snowmobiles lessened the need for herding dogs, but the Lapphunds were still used to herd sheep — and perform that job even today.

In 1940, a movement started in Finland to preserve the diminishing breed, whose numbers had fallen. Several dogs were collected from the Sami to start a breeding program.

The Finnish Kennel Club recognized a breed standard in 1945 in which the dogs were classified as Lapponian Shepherds. The standard included long and short coats.

The long-haired dogs later received their own breed standard in 1967. They then became known as the Finnish Lapphund.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) added the breed in 2011 after the dogs’ popularity soared in Finland.

Finnish Lapphunds are friendly and lovable, making them great family pets. Photo: iStock.com/GlobalP

3. How Friendly Are They?

The Finnish Lapphund’s sweet facial expression resembles that of a teddy bear, and the adorable breed is a popular family pet in Scandinavia.

Because reindeer were not afraid of dogs, the Finnish Lapphunds controlled the herds but knew when to retreat to avoid injury. When working, the breed is noisy, active and alert. These dogs are reflexively startled, though they recover quickly.

They are brave and dedicated to their work, but they are also friendly with people.

Finnish Lapphunds bark a fair amount. They’re not aggressive but will bark to let you know strangers are near. If barking becomes problematic with these dogs, it’s most likely because the dogs are bored.

Lapphunds like being with their pack and can become destructive and disobedient if isolated. These dogs should not be left in a yard or alone for a long time.

The breed gets along well with children and other dogs with good socialization, and cats are usually welcome without much of a fuss.